The grant recognizes and celebrates promising photographers with the vision and dedication that honors Flame’s legacy. He was a mentor, pioneer and editor of SURFING magazine for over 30 years. We have seen finalists from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and FTLF encourages anyone with a passion for surf photography to enter.

SWELL proudly sponsors the seventh straight year of this exciting showcase that always wows the high-profile attendees . The ceremony takes place during the US Open of Surfing, attracting captains of the surf industry seeking young talent for their brands and magazines.

Past winners of the grant continue to inspire and prosper. 2011 recipient Duncan McFarlane is now a staff photographer for SURFING Magazine. Recipients Morgan Maassen and Todd Glaser are SURFER staffers and considered among the surf world’s freshest eyes. 2007 winner Matt Clark is a professional photographer based in New York, specializing in fine art surf, travel and documentary photography.

Winners (L to R) Todd Glasser, Duncan Macfarland and Morgan Maasen

Matt Kurvin, the 2011 SWELL People’s Choice Award winner is now widely published in Surfline, SWELL’s Catalog, ESPN, Fuel TV and more. Listen to how becoming a FTLF finalist fast-tracked his career here.

The application period ends April 13. You must be present to accept your award on the evening when emceed Aaron Chang presents the portfolios from each finalist. For information about applying for the Follow The Light Foundation, visit followthelightfoundation.org

Thousands lined the rails of the Huntington Beach Pier like it was the finals of the US Open of Surfing. AAron Pai of Huntington Surf and Sport started the memorial service by listing Sean’s countless accomplishments from founding Surfline to working as a wave consultant on national security issues. Sean’s widespread influence were deeper than anyone imagined!

Everyone showed major appreciation for the gift of Surfline that Sean Collins founded in 1985. It was the first accurate wave forecasting model service that now sees 1.5 million monthly visitors. Legendary surfers Taylor Knox, Mike Parsons, and Brad Gerlach spoke of their special relationship with Collins, noting that his keen wave intuition gave them the knowledge necessary to track huge swells that earned them big wave awards. Stories of Sean’s love for his family and traveling in Baja California helped describe this passionate man who’s memory lives in every surfer’s pursuit of waves.

The paddle-out follows a traditional gathering of the surfing community, and this occasion may have been one of the biggest in history. (more…)

A weird week in the surf world brought us unseasonably epic weather and surf, but an untimely loss of a legend. Read what our favorite folks to follow had to say over the holiday, and keep up with SWELL’s steady stream of twitterrhea.

With heavy hearts we must announce that Sean Collins, Surfline’s founder, president & chief forecaster has passed away. http://t.co/pb3j8NCe

We all owe Sean Collins a debt of gratitude for opening the doors to one of the most elusive wonders of the world… good waves. His untimely passing took a huge toll on the surfing world, and the gift of Surfline he left behind will be daily reminders of his greatness.

Celebrate his life at the memorial paddle out, Sunday, January 8th at 11AM. Throw flowers from the pier or suit up and enjoy the waves.

I’m pretty much surfing’s version of Tim Tebow…except the winning, God and not getting laid parts.

Impostor or not, @Daynolds’ “blunt” honesty and humorous self portrayal explains why Dane Reynolds is the 5th most talked about surfer in the media. But how can a guy bite the hand that feeds him, quit the tour, and still land 7 figure contracts? Well, maybe we’re all sarcastic punks who glorify apathy, and destined to grow musty neckbeards.

We would like to thank Sean Collins for all of his contributions to the sport of surfing. He is a legend and will be greatly missed. SWELL sends our best to his family, friends and coworkers at Surfline.